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| Bellayra sexangula (Alcock, 1896) gen. nov., comb. nov. Bellayra persicum gen. nov., sp. nov. Trivedi, Naderloo, Viswanathan & Mitra, 2022 |
Abstract
The identity of Philyra sexangula Alcock, 1896 (Leucosiidae), an inhabitant of mangrove habitats, is clarified. The redescription of the lectotype male and examination of fresh material collected from Pichavaram mangrove forest located in Tamil Nadu State of India revealed that P. sexangula shows significant morphological differences from the generic characters of Philyra sensu stricto. Therefore, a new genus Bellayra gen. nov., is established herewith for the species. In addition, one new species, Bellayra persicum gen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on a syntype male of P. sexangula collected from the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, Philyra taekoae Takeda, 1972 and Philyra nishihirai Takeda and Nakasone, 1991, described from Japan are also transferred to Bellayra gen. nov.
Keywords: India; Leucosiidae; mangroves; Persian Gulf; Systematics
SYSTEMATICS
Family Leucosiidae Samouelle, 1819
Bellayra gen. nov.
Diagnosis. Carapace rhomboidal, markedly punctuate, punctae extending to ventral surface; regions well defined with granules. Anterolateral and posterolateral margins of carapace with obtuse tubercle. Male pleon (Figs. 1d, 2d) with 3 articulating somites, somite 1 narrow, median part slightly protruding, somites 2 - 6 tightly fused, distinct median denticle on somite 6, telson with rounded apex; female pleon with 4 articulating somites, somites 3 - 6 tightly fused. G1 straight or twisted with broad triangular or twisted apical lobe.
Etymology: The genus is named in honor of Bella Galil for her valuable contribution to the taxonomy of the family Leucosiidae. The name is in arbitrary combination with the suffix of the genus name Philyra.
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| Bellayra sexangula gen. nov., comb. nov., lectotype, male (CL 7.24 mm, CB 7.85 mm) (ZSI-893/10). a, Habitus, dorsal view; b, right cheliped, outer view; c, right cheliped, inner view; d, carapace, ventral view. |
Bellayra sexangula (Alcock, 1896) gen. nov., comb. nov.
Bellayra persicum gen. nov., sp. nov.
Etymology. The species name is derived from the type locality, Persian Gulf, which is called “Sinus Persicus” in the ancient Greek literature.
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| Bellayra persicum gen. nov., sp. nov., holotype, male (CL 7.88 mm, CB 7.83 mm) (ZSI-896/10). a, Habitus, dorsal view; b, right cheliped, outer view; c, right cheliped, inner view; d, carapace, ventral view; e, carapace, lateral view. |
Jigneshkumar Trivedi, Reza Naderloo, Chinnathambi Viswanathan and Santanu Mitra. 2022. Redescription of Philyra sexangula Alcock, 1896 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Leucosiidae), with Description of A New Genus and Species from the northern Indian Ocean. Nauplius. 30. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/2358-2936e2022026
